3 takeaways from Senators' huge 3-0 shutout win against Hurricanes

After closing out their four-game home stand with a 5-1 win on Wednesday night against the Anaheim Ducks, the Ottawa Senators headed down South to face the Carolina Hurricanes.

In the first meeting between the Senators and Hurricanes on Nov. 16, the Hurricanes shutout the Senators 4-0. In the second meeting of the season, the Senators wouldn't let history repeat itself.

The Senators defeated the Hurricanes 3-0 at Lenovo Center to improve to 14-13-2 on the season. With the win, the Senators are now two points out of a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.

With the win tonight, the Senators showed again they can handle playing against the top teams in the NHL. The Senators are now 4-1-1 to start December.

3. The strong play in goal continued big

Linus Ullmark has a rough four-game stretch in November where he allowed in 17 goals in four starts. In two of those starts, Ullmark allowed in five goals and concern was raised heavily.

Tonight, Ullmark recorded a 32-save shutout for his second shutout of the season. Against a high-powered offense like the Hurricanes in Raleigh, Ullmark needed to be sharp in a tough road environment.

With the shutout, it improved Ullmark to 5-0-1 in his last six starts. Ullmark showed that he can be strong in goal against top teams in the NHL like the Hurricanes.

2. Defenseman staying hot offensively

This season, Nick Jensen has been a big part of the Senators' defense. However, in the first six games of December, Jensen has been coming through offensively. Jensen now has recorded one point in four of the first six games of December. Against the Hurricanes, Jensen came through big.

With the Senators protecting a 1-0 lead late in the third period, Jensen scored to extend the Senators lead to 2-0 with 5:15 remaining. It was Jensen's first goal in 15 games. Jensen also recorded an assist in the win to have his third two-point game of the season.

While Jensen has been known for his defense, his offense to start December has been spectacular. Jensen has five points through six games to start the month.

1. Huge monkey off the back at last

Prior to the start of this season, Shane Pinto was destined to take a big step after recording 27 points in 41 games after being suspended for half of the 2023-24 season. Pinto's season started off right when he scored the game-winning goal on opening night on Oct. 10.

After his opening night goal, Pinto followed it up with only recording two assists over the next five games. After the game against the Utah Hockey Club on Oct. 22, Pinto would be out of the lineup until Nov. 12 due to an undisclosed injury.

Since returning on Nov. 12, Pinto had not recorded a point or goal. That was until tonight. At 4:04 of the second period, Pinto scored the opening goal of the game.

Late in the third period, Pinto recorded his second goal of the game on an empty netter to put the game away. Pinto's 19-game goal drought and 15-game pointless streak came to an end after his two-goal game.

A huge monkey off is now off Pinto's back, and confidence can be re-stored for the 24-year-old. In both games Pinto has scored this season, he scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal.

The Senators have a quick turnaround as they play the Pittsburgh Penguins for the first time this season tomorrow night at 7 p.m. ET at Canadian Tire Centre to conclude their fourth back-to-back of the season. With the Senators and Penguins both having 30 points this season and being two points out of a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, tomorrow's game adds pressure.